United had handed full debuts to both Siem de Jong and Rolando Aarons as Pardew made six changes to the side that had drawn 0-0 with Aston Villa. Pardew started the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation as United tried to earn their first win of the season.

The Magpies had not lost a tie in the second round since 1990 when they crashed out on aggregate to Middlesbrough in a painful 2-1 defeat – a game best remembered for Mick Quinn being sent off for lashing out at Steve Pears.

The clash at Priestfield was a repeat of the League Cup tie back in 1976 when a 2-1 win sent United home happy.

Newcastle were backed by around 1,000 fans who were part of a sell-out crowd of around just over 10,000 in Kent.

The night unfolded with a scrappy opening five minutes with neither keeper tested and a Mehdi Abeid free-kick booted high into the stand. A corner on the eight minute mark was also over-hit by Abeid as Newcastle failed to make an early impact.

In the 11th minute a raid down the left saw Massadio Haidara clip the ball in for De Jong but his shot was blocked by his marker and Abeid’s follow up was also cleared. At the other end Gillingham’s Cody McDonald had shouts for a penalty turned down after Fabricio Coloccini’s tackle.

On 15 minutes Gabriel Obertan broke down the left and rolled it to Abeid but he smashed the effort well wide but United did grab the lead eight minutes later.

Obertan made another probing run down the right and crossed into the six yard box before the ball crashed into the net off ex-Sunderland youth player John Egan.

They could have doubled the lead ten minutes before the break when Haidara crossed from the left only for Aarons to strike the ball straight at Stephen Bywater.

The Magpies, though, went in good value for their 1-0 lead at the break.

Newcastle created a couple of openings at the start of the second half but 10 minutes in Haidara was unlucky to see his shot from long range clip the crossbar.

United were forced into a change when Aarons picked up a knock and was replaced by Remy Cabella.

The Magpies then survived a scare on 72 minutes when Janmaat’s poor backpass was almost fumbled by Krul. Moments later Luke Norris fired in a shot from distance and Krul showed his quality to flick it over the bar.

With 12 minutes left Abeid tried his luck from 30 yards out but his effort clattered into the back of Callum Davies and out for a corner which Gillingham hacked clear.

Gillingham applied some late pressure but United left the home side frustrated. Antonio German headed over the final minute for the Gills but Newcastle progressed.